Cersei
All through the tourney she had fumed in silence, what should have been her chance to be with Jaime again had been ruined at every turn, her incompetent servants, two of whom she had dismissed because of their failures, were at fault. One even had the nerve to say she delivered the letter to Jaime personally, lies damn lies, if she had then Jaime would have came to her by now. Had there not been so many visitors staying in the Red Keep she'd have had the girl whipped, as it was she simply had her thrown out on the street.
It was the night of the feast though that she began to think that maybe her servants weren't completely lying to her, maybe just maybe there was some truth in what they said. She had smiled at Jaime countless times, every time he looked to her she could feel her heart race, could feel the tingle deep in her stomach. At one point during the night she'd almost had to leave the hall itself, the ache between her legs had become so distracting.
When the first note was brought back to her she'd smiled, she did love it when her brother played hard to get, the second though had made her furious. She watched as the girl walked to Jaime, saw as she tried to hand him the note, when he had refused it she couldn't believe it, she was incandescent in her rage. Had it not been for the people in the hall, these useless worthless people, then she'd have gone over and given her brother a piece of her mind. To reject her so publicly, this was not how tonight was supposed to end, this was not what she'd planned.
"Are you all right my queen?" Lord Mace asked.
"What, oh yes I'm fine." she answered abruptly.
The stupid oaf looked suitably chastened and went about eating his food, which was fine by her, the last thing she wanted was to be stuck in conversation with the stupidest man in all of the seven kingdoms. Though as she looked to her brother perhaps Mace Tyrell had a rival for that role, she watched as he laughed and joked with Tyrion and the rest of their family. It was bad enough he was ignoring her, but to spend time with the monster who'd killed their mother well that was something she couldn't bear to look at.
Thankfully something else caught her attention, she looked down to see the floppy fish sprawled on the ground, trying and failing to get back to his feet as the bastard and the rose walked away from him. Had the bastard done something? Had he struck the lord of Riverun? Please say it was so, she would see him punished for his impudence, even Robert wouldn't be able to deny it, perhaps if Jaime saw his precious squire in some trouble he'd come to her for help, yes this was something she could work with.
As she watched more intently now she found herself stunned by what happened next, to hear such words from a bastard, no this would not do, this would not do at all, she would need to get involved, even if it didn't bring Jaime to her, the bastard needed to learn his place.
The next day.
How had it gone so wrong, what a useless fool Edmure Tully really was, everything had been set up so well, if Jaime came to her and pleaded she'd allow the bastard keep his hand, but no the stupid trout had instead lost his head. Cersei respected warriors, they excited her, watching Jaime spar or joust was a certain way to leave her aroused, with others she felt it too though less keenly than with her brother. Edmure Tully was no warrior though and while she may hate the bastard for ruining her plans, he certainly was one.
She briefly wondered what he'd look like when he was older, when his muscles filled out and he grew tall, with his dark hair and grey eyes he'd be a very beautiful man one day, a bastard still, but a beautiful one. But for now he was just an annoying boy who continually got in her way, every plan she had seemed somehow to get foiled when it came to Jon Snow and she was sick and tired of it. Now her hopes rested on a man who wouldn't know one end of a horse from the other, gods why were men so stupid.
She took a long swallow of her wine and stood looking out on the city, her city, this was where she was born to be, this was who she was born to be, a queen and yet one with no true power it would seem, not even enough to put a bastard in his place. Her hand gripped the wine glass tightly her frustration clear as she emptied the glass, holding out the glass in her hand she felt it being refilled and took a deep breath. Jon Snow was only a boy maybe even the floppy fish could deal with him she thought to herself hopefully, maybe he'd unhorse him and leave him as crippled as the Tyrell heir, as she pictured it she began to laugh.
"My queen, would you like some more, we seem to have run out." the silly girl said to her.
"Of course I want more you useless creature." she said her contempt clear, what did this girl think, that she'd stop after just one bottle.
A week later.
She stormed towards the hand's office, how dare they do this to her, she was the queen, who did they think they were, cutting her funds off, denying her the basics, she needed that new lace dress and the rug also. What use was being a queen if she had to settle for less than she had as a daughter of the rock, as for that fool Baelish, that sycophant had the nerve to tell her that funds were tight, that they needed to make some adjustments.
The fat oaf she married didn't seem to be making any adjustments, his whoring and his feasting was carrying on as normal was it not, no she would not accept this, she was a lioness and it was time for them to hear her roar. She stormed into the solar practically growling at the guard who attempted to slow her down, luckily for him he realized quickly that to do so would be folly. Inside she found them laughing, they actually had the nerve to laugh, they immediately jumped to their feet when they saw her though and she smiled at that.
"My queen." Jon Arryn said.
"What is the meaning of this, how dare you tell me my funds have been cut, I am your queen." she said venomously.
"Indeed you are my queen, but the crown's funding is suffering a shortfall." Baelish said his smug voice annoying her.
"So, cut something that means less than your queens comfort, you stupid man."
"I'm afraid we already have my queen, as of now we're cutting all non essentials." Jon Arryn said looking at her.
"I am your queen, I am essential." she screamed at him, her hands gripping his desk.
"Of course you are my queen but with our lack of funding we have no choice, ever since your brother cut off his support we've had to make deals elsewhere." Jon Arryn said
"What do you mean my brother cut of his support, Jaime wouldn't, he wouldn't do that to me." she said though there was doubt in her voice.
"I'm afraid he has my queen, he cut off his support when he took over as lord of Casterly Rock." Jon Arryn said and she looked at him in disbelief.
"I shall talk to my brother, for now I'll use my personal account." she said haughtily.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible either my queen, your personal account is empty it hasn't received a deposit since your brother was named lord."
She looked at him in absolute shock, she was actually without words, there was no way he would do that, he was her brother, her other half, he loved her. Her personal account was something her father made certain she had, no lion would ever need to scrimp and save her father had told her and while it was there for certain uses, she had always dipped into it at will knowing that her father would replenish it. But now it was empty, this couldn't be right, she needed to speak to Jaime, but he had gone to the north for some stupid reason or so the imp had told them before he too left, Jaime had gone north with that bastard, with Jon Snow.
Ever since he came into Jaime's life her brother had been different, all her efforts to be with him had came to nothing and that bastard boy was at the center of it. Even her uncle had come to threaten her, threaten her, the nerve of him all because of the bastard. Even her plans here to put him in his place too had failed. Though that was the fish's fault and not hers, her plans would have worked had it not been for a stupid man, but this, this was different, she needed, she needed, gods she needed help, she needed coin.
"How can we rectify this my lord?" she said softly.
"We need a new source of coin my lady, one which can help us bridge the divide" Baelish said smarmily.
"Who?" she asked already dreading the answer.
"The Tyrell's my queen, we need to convince the king of the match between Lady Margaery and Prince Joffrey."
She nodded but internally shuddered, she couldn't allow the roses wrap their vines around her precious baby boy, they would suffocate him, try to control him, stop him from being the great king he would undoubtedly be. But even more important than that she couldn't allow Margaery be queen, to take her place, to wear her crown, the crown she deserved, the crown she was born to wear.
' Younger and more beautiful' the voice in hear head said and she felt it deep inside her, that feeling she hated more than any, fear.
Richard.
Castle Darry loomed in the distance and Richard was happy to see it, his network had grown incredibly since Varys demise, some of the little birds handlers had come across to him and after some tests, he was sure they were his now. But in expanding it he had found his time limited so was unable to speak to allies on his kings behalf, meaning he had missed his chance to speak to Raymun in the capital. As he got closer to the castle though he smiled broadly, he had last come here for Rhaegar and was now coming on behalf of his son.
The king was everything he should be, smart, courteous, caring, but fierce and extremely protective of those he considered his friends or people, something he had found out when he deigned to bring up Jaime Lannister. Despite what the man had done for the king, despite Barristan's own vouching for him, for Richard, Jaime Lannister was a danger to the king, a traitor who could not be redeemed. The king though had made it clear Jaime Lannister was off limits and those who spoke harshly of him had no place by his side.
" But your grace, he killed your grandfather." Richard said.
" Aye, the man who killed my other grandfather and uncle or did you forget Ser?"
" No your grace."
" My grandfather was an evil man Richard, the realm is far better off without him. What Lord Jaime did was an honorable act, even if to others it may seem dishonorable."
" But he swore an oath to his king before your grace, what if he does it again?"
" You think I'm like my grandfather Richard?" the king asked aghast.
" No of course not your grace, you are your father's son just as he was more his grandfather's than his own fathers, of this I have no doubt." Richard said and the king nodded.
" Ser, I swear to you on my honor what Lord Jaime did was for the greater good, will you accept my word on this?"
" Aye I will your grace."
" Then from here on I'll hear no more of it, Lord Jaime is a good man, a loyal man, without him I would not be here and I consider him my lealest and truest supporter." the king said and Richard nodded.
There was far more going on with Jaime Lannister than he knew and even his network couldn't find out much, apart from whispers that he doted on the king. There was nothing to suggest disloyalty, but Richard would stay vigilant regardless, he cleared his mind as he reached the gates.
The guards at the castle stopped his entry and Richard handed them a note, the skulls and red lips would give him away but he was still a dead man to most. After a few moments he was led into the keep, down some stairs into a small solar, when he entered and Raymun saw him he was shocked.
"I,,I thought you were dead."
"Aye, but I got better." Richard said and Raymun laughed loudly before giving him a warm embrace.
"It's good to see you old friend." Raymun said.
"You too, I'm sorry to see how you've been treated."
"So be it Richard, it is what it is."
"Ever feel like you made the wrong choice?" Richard asked softly.
"Supporting Rhaegar was the only choice, if I had the chance to do so once more then I'd gladly do it again, he was the king we needed Richard."
"Aye he was, which is what brought me to you, we need to speak about a restoration Raymun."
"The boy always showed signs of his father Richard, besides no one's even heard of them in years."
"I'm not speaking of Viserys, Raymun, I'm speaking of Rhaegar's son Jaehaerys."
He watched as his old friend gulped and swallowed, his eyes looked at him in hope, he nodded his head and saw the tears come to Raymun's eyes, the smile beaming on his face.
"Lady Lyanna had a babe, a boy?" Raymun asked hopefully.
"Queen Lyanna, Raymun."
"Queen." he said softly "Where is he, is he with the Kingsguard, did Arthur and the others spirit him away?"
"He's far closer than that Raymun, you've actually met the boy or seen him at least." Richard said looking Raymun in the eye.
"I have, where? I don't, I'd have remembered had I met him, I'd know it."
"Jon Snow, Raymun, Jaehaerys Targaryen is Jon Snow."
Raymun laughed loudly then, very loudly, his eyes lit up and he moved behind him and pulled out a bottle of Arbor gold, an expensive one, taking two glasses he poured them both out a drink and handed him one of them.
"I've had this bottle for almost ten years, it was gift from Rhaegar for Jonathor's name day, I had expected I'd drink it on my last day, for I'd nothing worthy to celebrate with it. When I saw your note, I figured I'd drink it with an old friend." Raymun said smiling.
"To the boy who put a fish in his place, to Jaehaerys Targaryen the third of his name, to the king." Richard said raising his glass.
"To the king," Raymun said his tears falling freely as he did so.
Tyrion.
They were finally home and he was relieved, the capital had been interesting but he was glad to be back at the rock. Sitting down at his desk he went over the mountain of papers he now had to deal with and smiled, he really did love this. When he had left the rock he had asked his steward to forward any really important reports to him in the capital, they had received none, but as he went through the papers he found one or two he considered important.
On the surface they were nothing that needed his direct handling, but bandits in the Westerlands was not something his father would allow nor his brother and Tyrion would organize some patrols to deal with them. Given the amount of gold and trade that moved around the west, it wouldn't do to have them roam freely, he looked down to see a lot of the activity seemed to suggest a large group of men, maybe he'd send Addam to handle it.
The other thing which concerned him was a report from the pinnacle ships, a suggestion that they may have been or are being followed. That perhaps someone was tracking their movements, while nothing had happened as of yet, this was very worrying. The ships had a decent company on board so they were well protected in terms of men, but perhaps they needed to be fitted with other protection, would that be considered hostile though?.
He knew should they arm the ships then it would indeed be considered hostile, they were supposed to be trade only, with them armed it would look like they were building a war fleet. Which they were of course but mainly with the smaller ships, the pinnacles were far too valuable to be used in such a way, unless they were needed which didn't bear thinking about. He reached over to look to his desk and pulled out the drawings Jon had made, the ones they used to build them, the boy really was an excellent artist and he had copied them extensively for them. The one's Tyrion now held though were the originals.
"My lord will you need anything else tonight?" Darah asked him.
"No that will be all, go get some rest young man." Tyrion said with a smirk.
"I shall, thank you my lord."
Though technically not a page or squire, Darah was his hand servant, a young man from a small house in the Westerlands, he was smart and a capable and Tyrion liked him which was what was most important. At some point he would need a proper squire or page and he'd allow the boy to choose if that was what he wanted, while no doubt being forced to take another from a larger house, but he was happy with the way things were for now.
Stretching he stood up and swallowed the last of his wine, picking up the papers and Jon's drawings he headed to bed, he'd think more on this, perhaps he could make some adjustments, arm the Pinnacles in some other way. Not visible but easily accessible, the ships were big enough for it, yes he would think on this some more.
A few days later.
Tyrion looked at the two new ships which were almost ready to be launched, after looking through the drawings and walking the ships themselves he had come up with a solution. Small sections of the ship could be dropped to create openings so if they were attacked they could be opened like windows and from inside the scorpions and crossbows could be aimed at an attacker, both sides of the ship could be used and they had found a perfect placement for the weapons. On deck large scorpions would be placed bow and stern, offering protection to the front and rear of the ships. At some point he would figure out how to use a wind wheel for powering these, but for now they would simply work as normal.
"Tyrion we'll have the arms loaded for when we're ready to set off." Kevan said walking towards him.
"What of the other ships uncle?"
"As they dock we'll hold them for a few days it shouldn't take too long, we've already fitted The Lady Joanna and The Lions Mane."
"What do you think of them uncle, in your opinion how safe are they?"
Kevan laughed loudly then, startling Tyrion a little.
"Safe, Tyrion only a fool or a mad man would attempt to take one of these ships now, even if there was someone out there crazy enough to do so it would take a fleet of ships to stop one of ours, arms wise, speed wise, theses ships are practically unstoppable" Kevan said proudly.
"What about Lannisport itself uncle?" Tyrion said and Kevan looked affronted "Not that I'm questioning you, just put my mind at ease, please."
"Very well, no one will take Lannisport by surprise or any other way ever again Tyrion, I have four thousand knights at my command, seven thousand troops and over two thousand bow and crossbowmen, this is my home and no one will take it." Kevan said determinedly.
"Aye, I know that uncle, you've done a remarkable job, it's incredible what you've accomplished so quickly." Tyrion said and noticed both his uncle and Lancel behind him swell up in pride.
"It's all I ever wanted you know, a seat of my own, something to pass on." Kevan said and Tyrion smiled at him.
Later that day Tyrion met with Ser Addam, he had decided to give the man some time to spend with his family before he sent him off to deal with the bandit problem.
"You wished to speak to me my lord?" Addam said as he was led into the room.
"Aye I did, some wine Addam?" he held up a glass
"Sure why not." Addam said and Tyrion poured them both a glass each before handing him one.
"I read a report about some bandits Addam it concerns me, they seem both larger in numbers and more organized than they should be."
"I had read it too my lord, I sent some patrols out but wherever these men are they're not attacking when we're looking for them."
"Aye I saw that, there's something here though Addam, I want you to take a large group and make it look like you're going to Crakehall, ride past Clegane's keep before doubling back and riding hard for Castamere."
"You think Clegane's involved?"
"I don't know Addam, I don't know, but he didn't come to the tourney which was odd and while we were gone suddenly there were bandit attacks, it seems strange does it not?"
"Aye it does now you mention it, I'll take a large group if it's Clegane we'll stop him."
"No, don't attack him Addam, just make your presence known, I've organized a little surprise should they do what I expect, but lets see if they fall into the trap first."
"You really are a craft sod aren't you." Addam said laughing.
"I have to be Addam, I have to be."
Genna.
She had decided not only did she hate that cat but that it may very well be evil, or at the very least mad, with Joy the black cat was as meek as a new born kitty, should anyone else come close it suddenly became a vicious animal. On more than one occasion one of the servants had come to her with scratches on their hands or arms from where they'd gotten too close to the cat. Gerion and Tyrion had laughed it off which had annoyed her, even more so since her brother had since left to go back to Castamere leaving her to deal with his daughters new best friend.
The girl and the cat were inseparable and even despite her own feelings on the damn animal she still found herself giggling at the conversations she'd overheard between them both. She swore Joy could talk for hours on end to the cat, telling him of her day, of Apples, of Ghost and Jon though those conversations usually led to her holding the cat tightly to her chest. Now though as she walked to the girls room she could hear that it was a much happier conversation as the girl babbled on and the cat purred.
"Are you hungry ballon, do you want more?"
"No why's that?"
"Are you sick, you don't look sick, I got sick once and made a mess, did you make a mess Ballon."
"No, no mess, want some drink, is that it, I get some, wait here."
She heard the pitter patter of Joys footsteps as she moved to the door, sticking her head out she called for Alessia, while Genna hid giggling in an alcove.
"Essa, Essa"
"What is it Joy?"
"Ballon thirsty Essa."
"All right I'll get him something to drink, will that be all?" Alessia said with a laugh.
"Ehmm, straw belly, Ballon wants a straw belly."
"Are you sure its for Ballon?"
"Of course, I don't like straw belly. Only a little, Ballon love straw belly."
Why you little liar Genna thought trying to keep her laughter in, I don't like strawberry indeed, immediately thinking of the amount of times she'd had to wipe Joys face clear of the red stains from eating the fruit. Well at least his time she didn't ask for pie, as messy as Joy could be with fruits give her a pie and both her and the cat would definitely need a bath afterwards. She listened as Alessia came back and walked into the room before heading back down the corridor.
"Ballon straw bellies." Joy said her laughter ringing around the room.
"No Ballon, share."
"All right, one for you."
"Hmm straw bellies yummy."
"No Ballon." she heard joy laugh loudly.
"Ballon make mess."
She couldn't help it, she had to see, walking into the room she looked around, to say the cat made a mess was an understatement, the floor was wet from where the water had been spilt and, there were strawberries crunched into the ground were Joy had stepped on them. The cat was well apart from the fact that it's face was covered in red which in of itself was a bit scary that and how the cat was basically smirking at her.
Joy though was, well the dress was ruined, her hair was now a weird combination of brightest blond on top and roaring red where she wiped the strawberries into it. Her face was covered in berry pips, squished berries and the juice of said berries, while she looked at Genna with an apologetic look knowing she was in trouble.
"What happened Joy?"
"Ballon made mess auntie, I said no, but Ballon no care." Joy said and waved her hands in resignation forcing Genna to laugh loudly which confused the girl.
"Come, lets have a bath."
"Ballon too auntie?" Joy said raising her eyebrow, which made Genna laugh even more.
"Ballon too."
Olenna.
She really hated Jaime Lannister right about now, well fine she didn't hate him, but she was annoyed at him so that would do. They would be leaving this wretched place in the morning and it couldn't come soon enough for her, if she had to spend one more minute with that horrible family or their wretched hangars on, she'd go mad. Mace had actually come through for once, he'd set the groundwork and the meeting she just came from was the result of his good work.
But the sheer arrogance, the temerity of them, to think they could string her along with the promise, the promise of a betrothal to a second son, well it was no surprise the Lannisters had pulled their support. They had tried this tactic already with the crown prince and while that may make them wait a little longer than normal, they wouldn't for a second son, no one would. Her Margaery was worth far more than that, worth far more than even the crown prince and that was without the coin they were spending.
" You need to understand lady Olenna that prince Tommen's age prohibits us from making such an arrangement public."
" Does it indeed?" she said biting her tongue.
" It does, though I've no doubt with your continued support we can work this out to both our benefits."
" Oh I've no doubt you could lord Hand."
The sooner the better Jaime Lannister returned from the north and they could cut their ties with the crown, he had been right this regime was rotten, it was time for a change. But it annoyed her that she would need to wait at all, though it did at least give her more time to look into who exactly it was that Jaime Lannister was backing for the throne. She searched her memory to try and picture Viserys as a boy, she had only met the boy once very briefly having not liked spending time in Aerys court.
She hoped he took more after this brother than his father, though given he seemed to have Lannister support perhaps that was a given, Jaime having made it clear he would not support another Aerys. The thoughts of the boy being anything like Rhaegar made even Olenna smile, her Margaery married to a dragon prince, now that was something they'd write songs about. It would take them time to find out about the nature of the boy, about what support they could garner, but with them and the Lannisters they were well on their way.
"Grandmamma, are we still leaving tomorrow?" Margaery said entering the room.
"Yes sweetling, why?"
"I just wanted to be able to let the children know that I'm leaving, so they wouldn't think I'd abandoned them."
"I don't think they'd ever believe that sweetling, you've spent so much time with them over the last week."
"I know but they've gotten used to seeing me, for me to just disappear on them it would be terrible."
Olenna couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face, ever since Jon Snow had left her granddaughter had spent almost all her time ensuring that things went smoothly with their food distribution. She had set up a place where the hungry could come and be given a simple meal of soup and bread, which though not much was far better than the bowl of brown they usually got. Alerie had hired a number of people to work this soup kitchen, people who were more than happy to earn a decent wage for once.
It may have been Jon Snow's idea to use funds to feed the poor, but between her gooddaughter and granddaughter they had expanded upon it. Orphanages would receive a weekly food delivery, as would Flea Bottom itself, the soup kitchen would be open to those who needed it and they had even more plans to help make these poor wretches lives better. Be it clothing, bed linen, toys for the children, all of this was in the process of getting set up, Alerie had even had one of their stewards from their warehouse reassigned to oversee things.
The dragon prince could do no better than her granddaughter as queen, so yes they would support Viserys should he prove worthy, but it would cost him, a bride for their armies and gold, cheap at half the price.
Edmure
Walking though the corridors of Riverrun Edmure felt nervous, no doubt his father had heard by now of what had happened at Kings Landing and he was sure to be displeased about it. He had embarrassed his family, had been made to look a fool in front of his lords and worst of all it had been the bastard's fault. Though his father too deserved some of the blame, had he just acted on Cat's suggestions none of this would have happened, instead he had done nothing and allowed the bastard to use his tricks to cause his family even more embarrassment.
He didn't know how the bastard had managed it, but he had obviously tricked him somehow, there was no way a bastard born of deceit and lust could have beaten the trueborn heir of Riverrun otherwise. What made it worse was he had him, he had him right there for the taking, had the bastard not slipped at the last moment then Edmure's lance would surely have unhorsed him. As he got closer to his father's solar he shuddered when Lord Jason left with Patrek, both men had been called in to see his father before him.
He nodded to them and hoped they had told the truth, that they spoke up about how the bastard had goaded him, how he had pushed him over and left him with no choice, what he had said left him with no choice but to act. Though was that really the truth? When he'd woken the next morning his head hurt and he felt sick, but he didn't even remember the bastard from the night before, it was only when the girl came from the queen that he did so.
" Lord Edmure, the queen sent me to give you this." the girl said handing him a note which he opened and read.
The bastard needs to pay for what he did to you last night,
For the things he said to you, no bastard can be allowed to speak that way,
Should you bring him up on charges, you shall find no better friend than I.
" This is from the queen?" he asked holding the note.
" It is my lord, I need to take it back to her, you understand?"
" What, oh yes of course." he said handing the girl back the note.
He had spoken to his men and when he'd heard what had been said, he was furious, he ignored the comments from Darry that he'd been drunk, that man should have been attained years ago in his opinion. He was annoyed when Jason refused to come with him and speak up for him, even Partrek had refused, but he had the queen on his side so he'd did what he was asked, only for it all to fail so spectacularly.
Entering his father's solar he sighed, this would not be pleasant, his father was standing at the window looking out on the Red fork, clearly extremely agitated as his hands were balled into fists. Edmure wisely chose not to take his seat, his father's displeasure would only increase should he do so, so instead he stood and waited. It took a long time for his father to speak and even longer for him to turn to look at him, each second seemed like an hour as the silence dragged on ominously.
"Have you any idea of what you've done, boy?"
"Father I." he began to stammer.
"Don't even start Edmure, you have embarrassed this house, not once, not twice but on three separate occasions, while at a damn tourney of all things.
How hard is it to go to a tourney and represent your damn house boy?" Hoster said his voice rising,
"Father it was not my fault, the bastard…"
"To seven hells with the bastard, this was all you Edmure, how am I supposed to fix this?" Hoster sighed.
"We can still take care of the bastard, we could arrange an accident."
"By the seven just how stupid are you, what did I do to deserve this, I thank the gods that you're mother didn't live to see just how much of a disappointment you've all become." his father said loudly, his anger rising.
"Father, it wasn't my fault, the queen, she asked me to lay the charges." Edmure said searching for something, anything to calm his father down"
"What did you say?"
"The queen sent me a note father, to tell me to lay the charges."
"Where is this note?" Hoster looked at him curiously.
"… her servant took it back with her."
Hoster slammed his hands down on the table, his face roaring red, he coughed and spluttered for a moment before filling a glass with water and emptying in something from a small bottle before swallowing it down. He looked at him and Edmure felt himself shrink against the chair, he felt the sweat pool in his hands and hoped for nothing more than his father to look away so he could wipe them.
"Now you listen carefully to me boy, you embarrassed yourself up there, which I care not about, but you embarrassed this family, you embarrassed me and that I'll not brook. I told you the bastard was no concern of ours, that Cat was being unreasonable, that we would take no part in her delusions and what did you do boy?.
You ignored me, you thought you knew better and now we're a damn laughing stock, it was bad enough you got drunk, bad enough you then tried to have the bastards hand, queen or no queen what were you thinking?
Do you think Ned Stark would have had nothing to say about you being involved in his by blow being maimed, dammit boy look at me when I'm speaking to you."
Edmure raised his head up to look at his father, while he was being chastised he had done what he always did, lowered his head and prayed for it to stop, as usual to no avail.
"But even after all that you then lost a damn joust to a ten name day old boy, mine own son unable to unhorse a boy, that alone would have been enough embarrassment, but then I hear you refused to apologize, in front of the damn king, you refused to apologize." Hoster said loudly before coughing yet again.
"I, he's a bastard father, you would have me shame myself by apologizing to a bastard." Edmure said angrily.
"Shame yourself, what do you think you did boy stand up for the honor you'd already lost, now let me make this clear once and for all, there is nothing between us and Jon Snow, not a damn thing, those thoughts you're having about vengeance, they stop right here and now, what do you think would happen if Jon Snow got harmed now?"
"I don't care father, what he said about us, about our honor, what he's done to Cat, what he's trying to do to your grandson, mine own nephew, the bastard needs to pay."
"I don't know which of you is worse, I thought Lysa was the delusional one, but it seems both you and Cat are just as bad. The bastard cares not about the north, given what he's done he could take it if he wished, but he doesn't care about it. Do you think I'm happy with what he said in Kings Landing?
Are you really that stupid boy?" Hoster asked looking at him.
"No father, I know you're upset but I don't understand why you wont do anything, you may not see the threat but I do, Cat does."
"By the father give me strength, should anything happen to the boy then we'd have the Lannisters at our door in a heartbeat, they'd tear us out of here brick by brick after all he's done for them. Jaime Lannister treats the boy as if he was his own son and you'd bring that on us for some damn words and ridiculous fears."
"He embarrassed me father, he embarrassed us." Edmure said his voice wavering.
"You embarrassed us Edmure, you did, now I shall hear no more about it."
Edmure got up and went to leave but stopped and turned around to look at his father, his own anger raising as he did so.
"You won't be lord forever father"
"Aye that's true, but Edmure should Jon Snow come to harm, should I hear that the Lannisters are coming for us. I swear it here and now, I'll name a new heir, one of Cat's children will take Riverrun before you ever do."
Edmure looked at his father, his anger replaced now with a look of hatred, how dare he, he who refused to stand up for his family, how dare he threaten him with this, when it was only he Edmure in this room who was living up to their words.
Winterfell
Luwin,
Things had been tense over the past couple of years, more ravens had flown to and from Winterfell since Jon Snow had left than had flown in all of his years living here. Each bringing a new tale about the adventures the boy had embarked on since he left. A lot of these ravens coming from house Manderly, tales of ships being built, trade deals being made, tourneys won, but it was the ones from Jon Snow himself that were usually accompanied by things between Lord Stark and Lady Catelyn suddenly growing more and more argumentative.
It had got to the stage where the lady had came to him and told him to no longer bring any message from Jon Snow to her husband or children, something he had to bring to Lord Starks attention which left him in the ladies disfavour. But he served the house and Lord Stark was head of the house and so it was his duty to do so. Besides he saw how the ravens, how the letters when they arrived cheered young Sansa, surely there could be nothing wrong with them if they made the young girl that happy.
Eventually things calmed and those letters, those ravens, the gifts that were delivered to his siblings became less of a problem and it was instead the ones which came not from Jon Snow but about Jon Snow that were the ones which created the most tension. Though he never read the letters before handing them to the lord, he did once they were read have to copy them for posterity, something which he had to admit he looked forward to.
The boy's accomplishments were numerous, his cleverness shining though and though he had been gone for a number of years, Luwin still thought fondly of the boy, still saw him as one of his charges. So reading about him always made him feel a sense of pride, the creation of wind wheels, the reopening of mines, the ships he'd designed that apparently the Manderly's were using all of it made him happy for the lad.
When he heard the cawing at the window though he grimaced, dark wings, dark words indeed and the last few ravens had indeed proved to be that, though for the life of him Luwin couldn't understand why that should be. Well except for the one from Riverrun, that one he could understand quite clearly, though he found it hard to take what was said in it as the complete truth, there was no way the boy could change that much.
Taking the scroll off the raven he looked at the seal to see it had come from Castle Black, so wrapping himself up nice and warm he headed outside and down to the main hall, where the Lord and his children were breaking their fast.
"Morning Luwin." Jory said to him as he passed.
"Aye, it's a fair one today is it not?"
"It's not too bad, though I'll be glad when my shift is done, I really hate the nights." Jory said with a laugh which he returned.
He passed Ser Rodrik who was setting things up for the morning spars, and tried not to look as he saw Old Nan creep from the crypts like a morning spectre, before he eventually mad his way into the great hall itself. At the top table young Arya and Bran were trying to be subtle with their flicking of food at each other but given the lord's smile he had seen it all, Sansa was delicately eating her food as usual which made her look every inch her mother to Luwin's mind.
Beside her Lord Robb was speaking to Theon both smirking at something the other said, and Luwin shook his head, the Ironborn was not one of his favorite people and thanks to him the young lord was remiss in his lessons. At the middle of the table Lord Stark sat eating heartily his wife sat quietly beside him, he made his way to them and handed the lord the raven scroll.
"My lord this just came from Castle Black."
"Thank you Maester."
He watched as the lord read the scroll and sighed, before he handed it back to him.
"My love what is it?" Lady Catelyn asked.
"What oh it's nothing, its just well, Jon and Lord Jaime have left the wall and should be here within the moon."
Luwin looked at the frown that appeared on the ladies face, but before she could say something he heard lady Sansa speak happily.
"Really father, Jon will be here within the moon for true?"
"Aye that he will, he lord Jaime and Lord Loras and their accompaniment." Lord Stark said smiling fondly at the girl.
"Who's Jon?" Arya said and Luwin watched as Lord Stark's face creased.
"Our brother." Sansa said annoyed.
"Your half brother." Lady Stark said shaking her head.
"Our Brother." Sansa said a bit more determinedly and Luwin caught the soft smile that appeared on the lord's face.
He walked from the room then, turning to look disapprovingly at Theon and Robb who laughed when Theon whispered the bastard under his breath. He could already tell that tonight would be another tense one in the great hall, the lord and lady no doubt having words, just like they did when the scroll arrived from Highgarden. The lady going from overjoyed that the Tyrell boy was coming to annoyed that so was Jon and Lord Jaime.
Luwin though smiled, he was looking forward to seeing the boy again, maybe he could pick his brains regarding these wind wheels, he had some ideas he'd like to try out, if there was one thing the north wasn't short of it was wind, he thought as he laughed. Yes despite whatever tensions his visit may bring he could honestly say he looked forward to the next moon and to seeing Jon Snow again.
Dorne.
Doran.
Doran sat in the garden overlooking the children as they played in the nearby pool, Areo standing behind him as always, he read through some of the latest missives and wondered about the changes which were occurring around him. All of Dorne had rejoiced when news of Tywin's death had come to them, though the fact it had been a reaver sword and not a Dornish spear had irked Oberyn. But the fact the lion was dead was enough to ignite massive celebrations throughout Dorne.
For Doran though the celebrations had meant even more planning, even more careful analysis, with Tywin gone how would the west shake up? Would it weaken the throne? But the news that came from the west had been strange and confusing, tales of how the Kingslayer had seemingly cut of his support for the crown, how they'd instead begun investing inwards and how those investments had paid off spectacularly.
Which had brought up the next piece of strange news from the west, that of the Kingslayer's new squire, to find out that Ned Stark's bastard was squiring for a Lannister had even shocked Oberyn, for Doran it had left him confused. Why would the honorable Ned Stark allow his bastard to squire for the Kingslayer? What was he missing here? He needed to know and so had attempted to place spies in the west, figuring that with the old lion dead it would be easy, something it proved to be very far from.
"My prince a man has come to speak to you." one of his guards said interrupting his train of thought.
"From where?" Doran asked.
"I do not know my prince, only that he's from Westeros."
"He's been checked?" Areo asked
"Thoroughly, though he won't allow anyone to check the package he carries says its for the prince's eyes only."
"Bring him to me." Doran said and the guard ran off to do as he was bid.
"My prince, this package it is not safe." Areo said concernedly.
"I know, we can have the man well watched, your axe to his neck should dissuade any problems."
"As you say my prince."
A few minutes later the man entered, there was nothing particularly remarkable about him other than he was holding a box in his hands which he quickly placed on the ground in front of them, his guards moved to stand behind the man and Areo raised his axe to the mans neck.
"My prince I bring a gift." the man said his voice shaky with fear.
"I see that from who?"
"I do not know my prince, I was contacted by a man who I know, he told me he was contacted by another man, I have no doubt he was not the first either." the man said and Doran nodded in agreement.
"Where were you contacted?"
"Kings Landing my prince, I'm first mate on a ship which delivers to Dorne. I was given this letter also."
One of the guards took the letter and handed it to him, he looked it over before opening it, the letter though unsealed was clearly unread something which surprised him. Men were curious creatures by nature so why this note had not been read spoke volumes of the fear the men who carried it had of whoever had given it to them.
"You didn't read this?" Doran asked.
"No my prince, I was instructed not to."
"Instructed?" Doran asked raising an eyebrow.
"It was made clear to me that it would not go well for me should I not follow these instructions my prince."
Doran smiled before opening the note, upon reading it he gasped aloud forcing Areo to look at him with concern, he nodded he was all right and folded the note.
"I thank you for your service, Dorne extends you its hospitality, he reached into his pocket and took out two gold dragons and handed them to the man who shook his head.
"My prince I've been well paid for this."
"Consider this a bonus my friend."
When the man left Doran had one of the guards open the box, once nothing happened he told him to reach inside, watching on as the man removed a severed head.
"Find me my brother immediately." Doran said to one of the guards.
Oberyn,
If there was one thing that could guarantee raising Oberyn's ire apart from mentioning the damn stags or lions it was being interrupted in a pleasure house, he and Ellaria were in the process of making their choices when a guard came in. The blond twins were new, a boy and a girl from Lys and both Oberyn and Ellaria were almost licking their lips at the thoughts of breaking them in, but instead he was called to see his brother and he was most displeased about it.
Walking through the water gardens he thought that even their beauty didn't compare to the boys arse he'd left in Sunspear, he had almost laughed at Ellaria's pout when he suggested she join him on the journey, that was one battle he had no chance of winning. Though after seeing how she caressed the boy's sister it had made riding here quite an uncomfortable experience, he hoped she wouldn't be satiated before he returned.
His brother's solar was as usual guarded by two men, inside he knew stood Areo and his axe, he pitied the man who thought after getting past the two guards they'd find an easy target behind that door. The large Norvosi was one of the few men that even Oberyn feared, his loyalty to his brother was unquestioned, the man's axe ready to take the head of any who dared insult his prince. Entering the room he saw a surprising sight, his brother was drinking wine and smiling, something he rarely did.
"Well brother I trust I didn't interrupt anything too important." Doran said with a smirk.
"A new experience brother, that is all." Oberyn said and poured himself a drink.
Doran handed him a letter and motioned for him to read it.
To the princes Martell,
I bid you my very best wishes.
In the box you'll find evidence of my sincerity.
I was lucky enough to call Princess Elia a friend,
What happened to her and her children was an affront to the gods and to decency.
The man who's head lays in this box was one of the men responsible,
Should you ever wish to bring the same justice to the others,
Then I am at your service.
To prince Oberyn I make this offer, should you wish to climb a mountain, then I look forward to our meeting.
Perhaps it is time my prince, for a trip to the west, Lannisport is fine this time of year I have been told.
Signed,
A true friend of Elia's and justice.
Oberyn jumped up and grabbed the box, reaching in he pulled out the bald head that was covered in salt to preserve it, he could see the features and he grimaced as he looked upon them.
"Varys?" he said looking to Doran.
"I don't understand it either, it could be a trap Oberyn, we don't know the west as well as we should."
"I don't care brother I'm going, please don't stop me." he said to his brother his voice almost pleading.
"I won't, but be careful though, you're the only brother I have." Doran said with a smile.
Oberyn too was smiling, he didn't know how Varys may have played a part in his sister's death, in the death of the children and he didn't care, if he was innocent he was no loss, guilty and he had paid the price. But the chance to get his hands on that monster, the chance to get vengeance for Elia, that was too good a chance to resist, his brother was right there was chance this was a trap, but he cared not for he was going to topple a Mountain.